Gov. Josh Shapiro spoke to reporters Friday morning as the U.S. Open golf championship began its second day of the tournament.The governor made it clear that having the Open back at Oakmont Country Club is a testament to Pennsylvania’s growth. “That sets a template for us for so many other things, even outside of golf, how to put our best foot forward in the commonwealth, working with outside partners to put on a great show, whether that great show is golf, whether that great show is football, baseball, you name it,” Shapiro said.This is the 10th time the U.S. Open has been held at Oakmont. More than 200,000 people are expected to visit the historic course, and while they are here, they will take in everything the area has to offer.Shapiro said the number of people coming to the tournament can’t be understated, and it’s because of events like the U.S. Open that put Pennsylvania in the national spotlight.With several events slated to be held in Pennsylvania in 2026, including the NFL draft, the World Cup and the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Shapiro said it gives visitors a chance to experience Pennsylvania and hopefully want to come back. “That means you’re staying in our hotels. It means you’re going to our restaurants and our bars. You become part of the entire culture, and hopefully you come back,” Shapiro said.Shapiro added he is also focused on getting the state budget in order to prepare for those events. He believes compromise will be the key to getting the 2026 state budget passed, but was confident in saying that Pennsylvanians will be put at the forefront.”But when we all compromise, the good news is Pennsylvanians will get what they deserve. They’ll see historic investments in education, public safety, and economic development. They’ll see us address important issues like mass transit funding for all across this commonwealth. Here in Pittsburgh and beyond,” Shapiro said.The deadline to get the state budget passed is June 30. Shapiro also addressed the rising tensions in the Middle East as Israel launched a major attack on the Iranian capital of Tehran. Israeli officials said they were targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities. “There should be no one feeling bad for the terrorists out there, but I think there is reason to worry about a rise in tensions in the Middle East and across the globe. Any time you have this type of operation,” Shapiro said.Iran’s state news agency later reported that Iran had fired hundreds of ballistic missiles in retaliation. Shapiro is hoping the situation does not escalate. “But make no mistake, we do not want an all-out war in the Middle East. That’s not only bad for the Middle East, it’s destabilizing for the globe and something that I hope will not occur. And I hope as we go forward here that diplomacy is able to take over and calm the situation down,” Shapiro said.In downtown Pittsburgh, a planned protest organized by the group No Kings is scheduled to happen outside the City-County Building on Saturday afternoon. The demonstration is joining similar ones nationwide. This is following the protests in Los Angeles against President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement.Shapiro touched on the protest and how he is working with state and local law enforcement to make sure that the protests happening across the commonwealth remain peaceful. “There is no place for violence in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We don’t settle our political differences with violence, and we don’t use violence to make a point. There is a place here in Pennsylvania, in the birthplace of democracy, for peaceful protest,” Shapiro said.
Gov. Josh Shapiro spoke to reporters Friday morning as the U.S. Open golf championship began its second day of the tournament.
The governor made it clear that having the Open back at Oakmont Country Club is a testament to Pennsylvania’s growth.
“That sets a template for us for so many other things, even outside of golf, how to put our best foot forward in the commonwealth, working with outside partners to put on a great show, whether that great show is golf, whether that great show is football, baseball, you name it,” Shapiro said.
This is the 10th time the U.S. Open has been held at Oakmont. More than 200,000 people are expected to visit the historic course, and while they are here, they will take in everything the area has to offer.
Shapiro said the number of people coming to the tournament can’t be understated, and it’s because of events like the U.S. Open that put Pennsylvania in the national spotlight.
With several events slated to be held in Pennsylvania in 2026, including the NFL draft, the World Cup and the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Shapiro said it gives visitors a chance to experience Pennsylvania and hopefully want to come back.
“That means you’re staying in our hotels. It means you’re going to our restaurants and our bars. You become part of the entire culture, and hopefully you come back,” Shapiro said.
Shapiro added he is also focused on getting the state budget in order to prepare for those events. He believes compromise will be the key to getting the 2026 state budget passed, but was confident in saying that Pennsylvanians will be put at the forefront.
“But when we all compromise, the good news is Pennsylvanians will get what they deserve. They’ll see historic investments in education, public safety, and economic development. They’ll see us address important issues like mass transit funding for all across this commonwealth. Here in Pittsburgh and beyond,” Shapiro said.
The deadline to get the state budget passed is June 30.
Shapiro also addressed the rising tensions in the Middle East as Israel launched a major attack on the Iranian capital of Tehran.
Israeli officials said they were targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities.
“There should be no one feeling bad for the terrorists out there, but I think there is reason to worry about a rise in tensions in the Middle East and across the globe. Any time you have this type of operation,” Shapiro said.
Iran’s state news agency later reported that Iran had fired hundreds of ballistic missiles in retaliation. Shapiro is hoping the situation does not escalate.
“But make no mistake, we do not want an all-out war in the Middle East. That’s not only bad for the Middle East, it’s destabilizing for the globe and something that I hope will not occur. And I hope as we go forward here that diplomacy is able to take over and calm the situation down,” Shapiro said.
In downtown Pittsburgh, a planned protest organized by the group No Kings is scheduled to happen outside the City-County Building on Saturday afternoon. The demonstration is joining similar ones nationwide. This is following the protests in Los Angeles against President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement.
Shapiro touched on the protest and how he is working with state and local law enforcement to make sure that the protests happening across the commonwealth remain peaceful.
“There is no place for violence in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We don’t settle our political differences with violence, and we don’t use violence to make a point. There is a place here in Pennsylvania, in the birthplace of democracy, for peaceful protest,” Shapiro said.
